[gyjsdtuwr]

I was reading Good Question, Good Answer (a fantastic read by the way, thanks to those on here for the link to it!), and I was reading the chapter on rebirth. I'm skeptical about the rebirth/reincarnation idea, and while reading I decided to post here asking for some guidance. It was then I realized that, in seeking guidance to help understand this concept, my mind is willing to accept the idea. I had an ah-hah moment then. It's hard to explain in words, but it was pretty awesome

So, in line with that, are there any of you who find certain concepts such as rebirth difficult to wrap your mind around? Suggestions on cultivating belief of these ideas?

[syncFisee]

Hi shadowspeak, my personal view about rebirth/reincarnation belief is as follows :-

I came to realise that speculating about it isn't relevant to my practice in this lifetime.

I remain neutral about it with a 'whatever will be will be' attitude.

[HaroTaure]

Ah-hah moments are great, aren't they? My personal view and working position with the concept of rebirth/reincarnation is very similar to Aloka-D's.

It does not matter whether " life " continues for eternity or lasts only for one moment more. What is important is that where there is suffering, it arises like the teachings explain. And where suffering ends, it ends like the teachings explain ...... the only place that I can effect change is now.

[M4tHkBw2]

yes, true, correct, I agree with my friends here. Do not wait to see what happens in the afterlife, if you can end your suffering trough this path, why worrying about what is going to happen when you die.
Anyways, I know curiosity is strong, but as you keep on learning and reading about Buddhism, your questions will be answered... but meanwhile, focus your effort on the basics.

May you find THE AH-HAH (enlightening) soon.

[KaterinaNJq]

Hi shadowspeak,
I'm new to all this too, but for me the rebirth thing makes more sense than the concept of 'heaven'; here's why.
Every living thing on this earth came from the elements and when we die and our body decomposes we go back to the elements. in time, these grow and change as we have done through our life and develop into other things and i think that is what will happen to us to after we have lived this life.
As I said, i am very new to this stuff, so would appreciate any comments or guidance on this belief.

[Ikrleprl]

I am very new to Buddhism and meditation also but all ready the ideas of rebirth - in a very general sense - have become apparent to me, in much the way you described, Looking for Peace. I have ceased feeling that I am a separate entity in this world but rather am connected through love to an even greater Love...one that is timeless, without beginning or end, but flows vibrantly throughout.

I am wrestling with the idea of reincarnation, and honestly do not understand it completely as it exists in Buddhist tradition but since I have begun sitting, I have had moments of such incredible insight about things that seem quite random .. that my conscious mind was never even engaged with, cared about. One such insight is that moments that I once termed deja vu are more often moments of remembrance. With a wary ( I don't want to become caught in an illusion of my own making) but open mind, I explore this idea when it happens. This seems to reinforce the idea that my energy/chi has been manifest in the world before now. Whether this is rebirth/reincarnation .. idk.

I too love the Ah-HAH moments Priceless.

[OmqMZtkv]

The Four Noble Truths that came with the very first book of Buddhism I read. Make me clear what was all about, arround 7 years ago.

[Fruriourl]

Hullo shadowspeak.
As I get finitely older I tend to waft from agnosticism through to far more esoteric and intuitive thoughts. I have experienced my share of "ah hah" moments; they impress for a while and then I tend to fob them off as "coincidence". I am approaching 70 and not sure of what would be best extinction, or more of the same uncertainty ad infinitum. As for the 'locking in of the moment' as you all seem to express; nowness is certainly easier to grasp than eternity
~~~~~~~~~~~~Cheers Murchovski (I belong to a laugh group.)

[enteltcheft]

We believe that tomorrow will be come because we were experienced in yesterday.
If we don't remember yesterday and never see somebody awaken from sleeping. We may not (or may) believe yesterday.

Tomorrow is the future. Yesterday was the pass. But we need the present to practice mind fulness.

The present show that the mind was rebirth every moment. Like your post
I had an ah-hah moment then. mean that moment your mind rebirth to a new mind. And now your mind is not the same as "ah-hah" mind.
It's rebirth every moment.